Stephens needed the “game of his life” for the Vols to “win a squeaker”? That’s quite a spin.
Gator QB Grossman had the game of HIS life, Witten had his worst game at UT, and refs made multiple bad possession calls against UT (that would have been overturned if video replay was used in 2001). The above was needed to keep UF in that game as Vols OL and DLs/LBs owned the Gators throughout game.
And Stephens was runner up for Doak Walker Award in 2001, actually deserved to win it over the RB from BYU. Some Doak Walker votes were cast before Vol-UF game. UF was one of several great games for Stephens in 2001.
UF was fortunate the 2001 game was even close on the scoreboard, and it didn’t take an out of his mind game by Stephens for the Vol win.